THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #775 - January 23, 1998
Magical Armchair Digest Friday, January 23 1998 Volume 01 : Number 775
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
Phoenix show
What's a Brick?
Brick is now teeny-bopping
FAVORITE SONG TOURNAMENT
Massachusetts
Lots of NYC show stuff
Ben's penis
bff cover project
Tickets are going fast!
Promo Stuff
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #771
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #772
My first intelligent post, and I got NBP Aussies!
My first intelligent post, and I got NBP Aussies!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 10:42:02 -0700
From: Stacy Lynn Flatt <stacyf@u.arizona.edu>
Subject: Phoenix show
Hello the chair...
Maybe some of you remember me... I went into lurking... but good news...
The girl who has never seen BFF live before (although missed them 5 times,
none of which were her fault) is going to see them live for the 1st time on
Feb 9!!!!!!! I am so excited. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else
was going to the show up in Phoenix, AZ on feb 9. email me if you are, and
will any of you be taping that show? I'd love to get myself a copy of
it... but I don't know how to record things myself.
I got Naked Baby Photos, and absolutly adore it. In my opinion, Self
Titled is the best, then Naked Baby Photos, and then Whatever. Just my
opinion. And Eddie Walker has to be one of the best BFF songs! How could
they leave it off the 1st album?? Oh well. I got it now. Words just
can't describe how much I love that song. Actually, words cant describe
how I feel about all of BFF's songs... But Eddie Walker is one of my fave
BFF songs now. And I love Emaline. The whole guitar thing takes some
getting used to, as I have this song live off of a bootleg or soemthing.
But I love that song.
To knock off a few old threads... I finally got a CD player, but it one
disk, and in it now is NBP, before that ST, before that Sublime 40 oz to
Freedom, and next I am putting in Shoebomb, a local alternitive band (keep
that name in the back of your head, they'll make it big one of these days)
that I am helping to organize a concert for. Oh, I got WE&E back in my
pre-CD days, so I don't have it on CD yet, and since I loved ST so much and
had <gasp> started to weear the tape out in places (esp Philosophy) I
upgraded that to a CD. I still have the tape though... the song Uncle
Walter is a bit cooler on the cassette! hehe...
And my porn name would be Snuggles Sirlin. ...interesting
If there are any other arizonans out there, give me an email.
Stacy (who is more excited than she has ever been for anything in her life
over the BFF concert she will soon be seeing)
ps are there any special tricks anyone knows of to meet the band after the
show? Cuz I'd love to meet them, for one thing, and 2 friends in MO met
Ben and Darren and told them about me, and Ben told them to tell me that he
says hi, and they both signed a ticket for me, and I'd love to tell them I
was that girl.)
Well, I hate that it's come to this, but baby I was doing fine, how do you
think that I survived the other 25 before you?
--Ben Folds Five "The Last Polka"
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 15:42:53 EST
From: ShaLaLoLi <ShaLaLoLi@aol.com>
Subject: What's a Brick?
Most recently I have been having some debates on what Brick is really about.
The most I have heard was that Ben said, "It's really self-explanatory." Oh,
gee that tells me a whole bunch. So I was just wondering. Does anyone REALLY
know? If you do I'd love to find out. Or maybe I'm just really stupid and
this has already been posted about a thousand times. Bye bye pumpkin pie.
- -Caroline (my porn name would be Faith Noreen)
BTW, when I first heard that little joke someone told me it was what my name
would be if I happened to be on a soap opera.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 15:30:58 EST
From: SarahBF5 <SarahBF5@aol.com>
Subject: Brick is now teeny-bopping
Hey! Well, over here in NE Ohio, there is this one radio station which is all
like Janet Jackson, Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, Puff Daddy, etc. Well...now
we can add Ben Folds to that scary list. Every night, they have this thing
called "Battle of the buzz" where they play 2 "new" songs (and we all know how
new Brick is! jk) and people call in to vote on which song they like better.
Brick won (i dont know who they were up against..one of my friends told me
about it...) But, that is scary...this station overplays stuff so incredibly
much and they rely too much on the success of the Spice Girls. Poor BF! But,
hey, at least they won...it owuld have been worse if they had lost to one of
these other "bands." Well, see ya!
- -Sarah
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 15:46:37 -0500 (EST)
From: SLAYBAMJ@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu
Subject: FAVORITE SONG TOURNAMENT
Hey there fellow BF5 fans! I've an announcement to make. I'm going to initiate
a tournament to help determine what some of our favorite BF5 songs are. rather
than simply having everyone submit top 10 lists or something, I've decided to
make this a little more interesting. Using a tournament form similar to the
simgle elimination tournaments used in sports, we'll have matches bewteen the
songs and rounds to decide the champion of Ben's songwriting skills.
So...I've compiled a list of songs to use and I'd like to get approval on the
list to begin with. I realize that a few people might not know a few of the
songs on the list, but I'm sure that most of them are readily available, if not
in a store or through a friend near you, then definitely on a web site
somewhere. The list is as follows:
All tracks from BEN FOLDS FIVE
All tracks from WHATEVER AND EVER AMEN
From NAKED BABY PHOTOS:
Eddie Walker
Emaline
Tom & Mary
Fanny Packs
Bad Idea
Ultimate Sacrifice
Satan Is My Master
Twin Falls
From the Battle of Who Could Care Less Singles:
Champagne Supernova
Hava Nagila
Dr. Pyser
from the Kate Singles:
All Shook Up
Mitchell Lane
For All the Pretty People
From the Lounge-a-Palooza Disc:
She Don't Use Jelly
Ok...here's the deal. I've made an effort to use each TITLE only once. I have a
few ideas about this myself. First of all, I think the live versions of Emaline
and T&M on the Sommer B single kick the crap out of the studio versions, but I
know these are as widely known as the NBP versions. But, I think we can all be
objective about is Emaline is a better SONG than, say, their version of All
Shook Up. So, perhaps we don't need to specify which VERSION we'll use. In the
case of Bad Idea, though, it might be worth it to determine if we are talking
obout the demo version or the TACAD soundtrack version.
So...Your opinions are needed. Send them to the list or directly to me.
I'll take it all into account and let you know what seems fair soon. If you
think any titles should be deleted, or any added, let me know. Maybe we should
talk seperately about each RECORDING, like the live versions on NBP. But,. I
personally think using the titles keeps it as simple as possible. Let me know
what you think. I've got brackets drawn up and waiting to put songs in.
After we pick the songs, I'll use the computer to randomize a list and
put them in brackets for the first round. I'll post match-ups for one round
each day. Everyone has 24 hours to send their votes (directly to me, please) in
and I'll announce the new match-ups each day. It should be interesting to see
"who" beats who, especially when it gets down to the last rounds. Philosophy vs
One Angry Dwarf would be a tough one for me.
Anyhow...I know I've taken up more space than most people would prefer,
so I'll let you go. Let me know what you think though.
Rock on and on and on and on...
SLAY
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 15:50:39 EST
From: ImInPieces <ImInPieces@aol.com>
Subject: Massachusetts
This is my first time posting. I've been reading the Armchair for about a
month now. I'm also from Western Massachusetts. I'm in Hadley, "cow town,
USA". Ha ha! I just tell people it's between Amherst & Northampton 'cause
nobody knows where it is. It's good to see other Massachusetts fans here.
I've been following Ben Folds since their first album. I got to see them play
in the pouring rain at Lollapalooza in Vermont. Then I got to see them play
at HORDE last summer, and got to meet them as well. I also got to see them
play at Pearl Street in Northampton. They're one of my favorite bands.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 17:36:40 -0500
From: "person" <captjanx@i-2000.com>
Subject: Lots of NYC show stuff
I've been reading all of these posts on the armchair about the Hammerstein
ballroom show, and I realized that alot of people are going, and are asking
alot of questions that are not being answered. So, in an effort to help
ease this tension, I would like to try and answer some of those questions.
Is the show going to be on "Live at The Ten Spot"?
-At the moment, they have not been offered to play on MTV
I'm not going to say definately no, because I don't know that
for sure, but I don't think so.
My ticket has a seat number, are there going to be seats?
-The ballroom has a number of set-ups, one being "stand-up concert"
Ticketmaster also sells tickets online for "floor". This would lead
me
to believe that there are no seats. However, there are two
balconies.
I've never been to the ballroom, what is it like?
-The ballroom is HUGE, the standing floor can hold 2500 people. It
also has two lower floors that are lounges or breakout rooms. It was
originally known as the " manhatten opera house" and has spectacular
construction.
The ballroom has a webpage at this address:
http://www.mcstudios.com/5Events/OH.html
The page features a floor plan,pictures, set-up examples and a
quicktime movie of the interior.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 17:39:26 -0500
From: Mike Wilkinson <mwzoso@neo.lrun.com>
Subject: Ben's penis
I think that Ben was just joking when he wrote in the liner notes of NBP
that "Philosophy" is about his penis. (Ben and the boys are known for
their sense of humor). I am almost sure (and always have been since I
first heard the song) that Ben is singing "helmet HAT" not "helmet head". I
always got the image of a consruction worker ("mortar block", "glass",
"atop a high rise", "helmet hat", and his "torch" could quite possibly
refer to a welding torch). I don't know, thats just the image that came to
mind for me (not ben's penis). Well, think about it.
- ---"mwzoso"
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 17:43:58 -0500 (EST)
From: Dagan R Thogerson <dthogers@iusb.edu>
Subject: bff cover project
this bass player from new york wrote:
<I was wondering if any pianist+vocalist+drummer's would be interested in>
<joining me in a bff cover project>
you should write your own stuff man, i think the the last thing that
we need is another band that plays other peoples' music. i am biased
though, i'm from indiana, and all the fuckin bands around here do
is play cover tunes, it gets so old. if you really like a band, their
influence on you will come through in your own music, and then when you're
famous, you can play shows with bff and put them in the thank you
section of your liner notes on your album, now doesn't that sound a lot
more fun??
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 17:47:50 -0500 (EST)
From: Frank Maynard <maynard@mail.oeonline.com>
Subject: Tickets are going fast!
If you haven't gotten your tickets for the shows in the February tour,
you should probably do so soon. Many shows are close to selling out or
already sold out: Seattle is 90% sold, LA is 90% sold, Chicago is 95%
sold, Toronto is sold out, Philadelphia is 90% sold. Sales are going very
well, especially since the first show isn't for two weeks yet.
-fjm
Down by Rosemary and Cameron she hands out the Bhagavad Gita
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 19:25:17 EST
From: MeandMrRay <MeandMrRay@aol.com>
Subject: Promo Stuff
Hello Folks,
I'm back with a new batch of promo stuff for trade. This batch
may be
more for the "competist's" among us... As usuall, I'm looking to trade these
items for Ben Folds Five related Items that I dont have (could be...pictures,
videos, posters, bootlegs...anything) So without further ado, heres this
months list:
1. Brick Video (I have one copy of a white label promo video of the full
version of the Brick video)
2. Modern Rock Live Compilation (This is a 2 cd set of Live radio cuts, given
away when someone purchased a discman last year, and sent the voucher in for
this. It features a live version of "Philosophy", and has Ben giving a brief
explination of the track. Artists included on the comps include: DMB, The
Posies, Violent Femmes, and 15 other artists)
3.Rare on Air 3 (This is a no-cover promo version of the Rare on Air 3 Cd. It
features 14 live in studio tracks, one being a live version of "Alice
Childress")
4. Blast Modern Rock Program 12 (this is a no-cover promo cd sent to radio
stations to promote the first record. It includes the single version of
"Underground", and 17 other artists.)
5. Request Vol. #3 (This cd was sent along with a magazine in 1996. It
includes 18 tracks, including the single version of "Underground". The rest of
the disc has some great stuff as well. Its still sealed)
6. Totally Adult #23 (A three cd set, promo only...intended to promote "Modern
Rock" artists to radio station. Among the three cds is the single version of
"Brick" Theres also alot of other great bands on this 3 cd set.)
7. Virtually Alternative #97 (A 2 cd set of radio singles, again intended for
promotional use. The First cd kicks off with the single version of "Brick" and
includes a picture of the Radio Promo single it was taken from. This set also
has a reznor remix of that new Bowie tune. (If this is your sort of thing) 36
songs in all on this 2 cd set.)
8. CMJ sampler September, 1995 (this was my first taste of the worlds greatest
pop band. Its a sampler cd, inlucded with a magazine (which I also may still
have) It includes the album version of Underground....and a Coltrane cut!)
If your interested in trading for any of the above items, email me at:
MeandMrRay@Aol.Com
None of this stuff is for sale. Trade only.
Sorry for taking up so much room on the Armchair. Perhaps all of you that
arent interested in trading can use this as a reference to differnt places the
boys have appeared.
Greg.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 21:30:25 EST
From: BlueJellow <BlueJellow@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #771
In a message dated 98-01-20 21:59:24 EST, you write:
<< Leader Ben Folds recently gave mustachioed, elevator music maestro
Yanni his proper respects in an interview with Time Out New York; citing him
as a major influence. >>
Oh, that's very funny. What a joke. Good one BEN!
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 00:39:37 EST
From: F2G 2 <F2G2@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #772
oh geez......
will you guys quit being so literal?
i personally think ben would laugh his ass off to even read the armchair of
late.
penis this and penis that......
and it can't be because we're all so juvenile that we love to use the word
penis for it's shock value. penis.
i have officially concluded that "twin falls" is my favorite song on nbp. for
the moment.......
and if you're up in the mornings, ladies and gents, i saw vh1 with bf5 on
it......uhm.....tuesday, at about 10-ish. on crossroads.....i was sitting at
the bar at work, smoking a smoke and drinking cup # 2 of coffee and......"what
the hell?"
bf5.
they played brick altogether too much from what i managed to see, but......
darren talked. a lot.
all in all, a nice way to start one's day.........
penis.
matthew
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 18:54:43 +1100
From: "BECK" <beckwk@pnc.com.au>
Subject: My first intelligent post, and I got NBP Aussies!
I was just listening to WAAE in the shower and I came
across a little something I found interesting
Fair : "she shattered her last china plate"
Selfless, Cold and Composed: "Are all the dishes in tact"
co-incidence?
also, I read on NBP that Underground was written 10
years ago? can anybody explain this to me? (maybe I
should cancel that first intelligent thing!)
I would also like to add that the boot version of Emaline
is far superior to this version!
TO AUSSIES, I just picked up Naked Baby Photos today
22.1.98 so it is available in Oz. For those of you in the
Penrith region ( I know a few are, Hi Anna!, Plaza Records
still has 2 copies available at 36 bucks)
Later Folks
Matt
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 18:54:43 +1100
From: "BECK" <beckwk@pnc.com.au>
Subject: My first intelligent post, and I got NBP Aussies!
I was just listening to WAAE in the shower and I came
across a little something I found interesting
Fair : "she shattered her last china plate"
Selfless, Cold and Composed: "Are all the dishes in tact"
co-incidence?
also, I read on NBP that Underground was written 10
years ago? can anybody explain this to me? (maybe I
should cancel that first intelligent thing!)
I would also like to add that the boot version of Emaline
is far superior to this version!
TO AUSSIES, I just picked up Naked Baby Photos today
22.1.98 so it is available in Oz. For those of you in the
Penrith region ( I know a few are, Hi Anna!, Plaza Records
still has 2 copies available at 36 bucks)
Later Folks
Matt
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #775
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